Court dismisses Novartis challenge to Indian patent law

Patients' groups and health organisations proclaimed victory this week after an Indian court dismissed a petition by the drug company Novartis challenging a section of the Indian law on patents.

Novartis had questioned section 3(d) of the law, which prohibits patents on new forms or new uses of known substances, arguing that it was in violation of the Indian constitution and that it did not meet international trade rules.

The Madras High Court dismissed the petition, ruling that the clause was not unconstitutional and that the issue of whether it …